By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Ministry (MINDET) will continue to provide full support to the Sabah Seafarers Association (SEAS) in promoting maritime careers to the younger generation.
This is in line with the state’s maritime development agenda and Blue Economy aspirations, said Deputy Chief Minister III and Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick.
He said initiatives such as the Sabah Seafarers Career Aspiration Programme 2026 are important in raising students’ awareness of career opportunities in the maritime and shipping industries.
“I am confident that this programme will broaden our horizons, especially among students, and encourage them to pursue careers in this field.
“I support this programme because I see the need and the vast potential it offers. It is up to us to seize, explore and choose the career opportunities available in the maritime and shipping sectors,” he said.
He said this after officiating at the Sabah Seafarers Career Aspiration Programme 2026, held in conjunction with World Seafarers Day and organised by SEAS here.
Ewon also commended SEAS for taking the initiative to organise the programme for the first time to expand awareness of career opportunities in the seafaring industry, particularly among school students.
“I was informed that 200 students from schools in eight districts across Sabah participated in this programme, and I hope some of them will choose careers in the maritime and shipping sectors in the future.
“Programmes such as this not only expose students to the prospects of a career as a seafarer, but also demonstrate that employment opportunities in this field are not limited to Sabah or Malaysia, but are widely available internationally,” he said.
He said the State Government is currently implementing the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 2.0 roadmap, which places emphasis on the development of the maritime sector, including maritime-related industries and services, as part of Sabah’s Blue Economy agenda.
According to him, as the shipping industry and maritime services sector continue to expand in the state, demand for skilled manpower in the industry will also increase.
“This programme is highly relevant to the State Government’s agenda to develop Sabah’s maritime sector and strengthen the Blue Economy.
“Among the initiatives is the planned launch of a Blue Economy Industrial Park in Kudat, which is expected to create more economic and employment opportunities.
“Therefore, we need more graduates and skilled local workers in the maritime sector, including those pursuing careers as seafarers,” he said.
Ewon noted that the number of Sabahans entering the seafaring industry remains relatively low compared to several other states, despite Sabah’s strong maritime potential.
As such, he hopes SEAS will continue to expand similar programmes to schools throughout Sabah to cultivate interest and raise awareness among students about careers in the industry.
“That is why when the association proposed organising this Seafarers Career Aspiration Programme, I immediately welcomed the idea because I saw both the need and the potential.
“I am confident that this programme will encourage students to consider careers in the maritime sector. Employment opportunities in this field are abundant; it is up to us to pursue and take advantage of them,” he said.
He also assured that MINDET would continue supporting the programme in the future.
“As long as I remain at MINDET, I will ensure that the ministry continues to support programmes such as this because I believe they can help produce more Sabahans who build careers in the maritime and shipping industries.
“To the students participating in this programme, I hope that one day some of you will join the seafaring profession and become members of SEAS, while contributing to the development of Sabah’s maritime sector,” he said.
Ewon (right), meets the students participating in the programme.
